Why Mourinho must concentrate on Europa League – Sir Alex Ferguson

Former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has urged current manager, Jose Mourinho, to focus on winning the Europa League, as it guarantees a ticket to next season’s Champions League.

With the battle for the top four places in England looking tight, Ferguson feels Europa League will be the best route back into the Champions League.

United are currently fifth on the table, four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, with two outstanding matches. Arsenal are two points behind the Red Devils.

Ferguson, who won 38 titles in 27 years at Old Trafford including two Champions League crowns, told ESPN FC: “The thing is, we’ve never won the Europa League.

“We’ve never won the UEFA Cup, what it used to be. And we’ve got a great draw. I’m not saying it’s a certainty, but they’ve got a great chance.

“It gets you into the Champions League, too – it didn’t used to but it does now, and so that’s a great incentive. And there’s no Sevilla in it, so that’s good.

“If you win a trophy, it’s important. It’s a European trophy. It doesn’t matter that it’s not the Champions League — it’s still a European trophy. And if you win it, you get into the Champions League. The incentive is greater to do that.

“And your CV gets bigger. If we won the Europa League? Fantastic. Add it to the European Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cup, the Champions League – It’s bigger and bigger. We also want to be the most successful club in England.”